Flushing Town Hall Announces Fall Lineup

A Taiwanese rock band, monthly jazz jam and cheese festival are all on the docket for this year’s fall lineup at Flushing Town Hall.

The cultural arts center, located at 137-35 Northern Blvd., focuses its programming on diversity from a variety of cultures and countries, and this year’s lineup is no different. At a press conference last week, Flushing Town Hall officially unveiled its fall lineup, which features acts with roots in Mexico, Belize, Korea and the United States.

“Flushing Town Hall is located in one of the most diverse regions in the state and the country,” said Flushing Town Hall Executive Director Ellen Kodadek. “It’s this diversity that gives us the ability to discover the cultures and the customs and the melting pot that makes us stronger as a nation. For those who are new to us, the hallmark of our programming is a cross cultural focus, works that bridge different cultures, as well as programs that present art forms from across the globe.”

The press conference featured performances from the Taiwanese rock band Enchanted Formosa, who performed at Flushing Town Hall last week.

The next performance at Flushing Town Hall will be on Sept. 15 and feature “Stillness in Queens,” a collaboration between musician and composer Jun Yi Chow, Flutist Seungmin Cha and video artist Karen Y. Chan. “Stillness in Queens” features an experimental video and sound art performance that explores “the beauty and quietude of everyday life in Queens.” The event costs $16, but is $10 for members and students.

A week later, on Sept. 22, Jose Conde Eclectric and his Cuban salsa band Ola Fresca will bring original Latin roots dance music with Cuban rhythms that explore “the crosscurrents of son, salsa, timba, funk, rock, afrobeat Haitian compass and more.” The event is also $16, and $10 for members and students.

On Sept. 25, Flushing Town Hall will host the Moth StorySLAM, a popular event during which guests tell stories based on a predetermined theme. Stories are often featured on NPR and tickets can be purchased at themoth.org for $10.

Kodadek also highlighted an Oct. 21 performance by Betsayda Machado, “an icon of Afro-Venezuelan music” and La Parranda El Clavo, a multi-generational percussion band from Machado’s own village. That performance will feature pre-show dance lessons. Flushing Town Hall will also host an evening of Kunqu, a “classic and elegant form of traditional Chinese theatre” that uses poetry, music and storytelling. That event, hosted by the Kunqu society, will be held on Nov. 18.

On the first Wednesday of every month, Astoria native and saxophonist Carol Sudhalter will host Flushing Town Hall’s monthly jazz jams. These events are open for participation to all musicians, regardless of instrument, and the listening public. The event is $10 and free for members, students and participating musicians.

And on Dec. 2, the Great Northeast Cheese & Dairy Fest will return to the venue, showcasing dozens of artisanal creameries from around the state and more than 75 artisanal cheeses. The event is $60 and $100 for VIP tickets. There is a 20 percent discount for members.

Flushing Town Hall will also extend its Teen Access Initiative, which allows all teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 years to attend any event for free.

At last week’s press conference, there was also a dance performance from the Garifuna Collective and Umalali, which celebrates the Garifuna language and culture with roots in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Africa. The group will perform on Oct. 6. And there was also a performance by Kathak classical dancer Abha Roy, who showcased dances from Flushing

Town Hall’s Diwali Festival on Oct. 29.

To see the full schedule or to buy tickets, visit www.flushingtownhall.org.